Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-01

woman. in any country. and at any
time in the worlds history-she
thought for herself
But we have wandered too far from
the breakfast-room. 1t was. indeed, a
comfortable place on 4 cold. winter
morning. There was nothing dark.
dingy, or aesthetic in its decorations.
Light curtains of creamy lace hung at
the two broad windows. and the tone
of tho whole room was fresh. cool
gray. Somehow, a dash of brilliant
blue was ingeniously introduced in
the walls. the furniture and the rugs;
but one never could tell where it was.
nor how it blended so tremendously
with the gray and cream color.
1t was a secret of Hester's. and wom-
an-like. she kept it to herself But
she did not confine her art to the
breakfast-room. Even the doctors
study and oflice-those corners in the
world which usually strike terror to
the hearts of the strongest and boldest
was attractive and artistic.
The Clydes were luxurious in their
habits. Perhaps their winters in the
South had taught them that the petite
dcjourner of coffee, snowy rolls and
tropical fruits was wholesome and en-
joyable. Perhaps they followed this
diet because it was the fashionable
thing to do; but be that as it NAV. this
first meal of the three was pronounced
by their morning callers. who were
fortunate enough to be initiated into
its mysteries. as perfection.
The hands on the little white marble
clock pointed to ten. and Hester sat
over her fragrant Mocha and Malagas.
leisurely cutting the pages of the last
novel, glancing at the beginning and
end of the book. A poem by new
poet began we'll, but she dropped the
book when the poem was half read.
No. Hester Clyde was not a beauty,
but she was interesting. and the MORN
ing-dress of some light. clinging stuff,
trimmed with rich lace. set off the
shapcly figure. Her dark hair was
plainly knotted low at the back of her
head. and her long. slender hands
were without ornament They were
lady's hands. from the delicate wrists
to the pointed nails at the finger tips.
and Hester knew perfectly how to
use them. A bright-eyed little French
maid. in white cap and ample apron.
entered the breakfast-room to announce
a caller.
The card which Hester turned over
in her hand had engraved upon its
surface. MT Brandt
"ShOw the gentleman in." she said.
and the faintest dash of color mantled
her face and neck as she said it.
She knew she was blushing. yes.
absolutely blushing; but she was not
angry with herself for the tell-tale
color.
why should she not be pleased TO
see Jack. honest Jack Brandt" she
asked herself They had been friends
from childhood; and Hester, as she
sat there, could not remember when
their friendship began. Beside. it had
been months since he had called.
Jack Brandt was the picture of
strength and manliness as he stood in
the doorway. parting the heavy
portiere. He was twenty-five, but his
fresh color and clear. blue eyes would
have made him. had it not been for
the well-kept mustache, appear much
younger
Hester did not disguise the fact that
she was glad to see her morning
caller
You are so great q stranger" she
said, brightly. ''that l suppose l ought
to be very formal, but really, l can't.
Jack, with you. am going to scold
you. though. But first. sit down and
share my humble breakfast"
She turned out for him a cup of
fragrant coffee.
He seated himself on the opposite
side Of the table. and his companion
resumed:
There is cream and sugar; you
know never dictate how one shall
drink his coffee. so long as he drinks
it. Now" sinking back among the
cushions of her chair. tell me where
| you have BEEN"
"To Florida, to Omaha. to Washing
ton Territory. to the Yellowstone val
ley. to San Francisco. to-
.,Enough!' broke in Hester. with 4
tragic wave of her hand. How and
why. Jack, did you. who above all men
enjoy the comforts of life. make such
a journey in the dead of winter, and
such winter?'
Jack deliberately favored his coffee
before replying. 1t appeared to satisfy
his taste.
Il will tell you. How? by railroad,
of course. Why? to make some money
and settle mining claim have in the
West. But 1 enjoyed the trip and rs
freezing-why. we had as many kinds
OF weather as some one SAYS he finds
in New England. There was spring,
summer, autumn and winter in almost